Who Is Hatem Ben Arfa? Age, Biography and Wiki
Hatem Ben Arfa, born on March 7, 1987, is a prominent French footballer celebrated for his incredible agility and technical skill on the field. Over the years, he has carved a niche for himself, playing for various top-tier clubs in Europe and representing the French national team. Currently, in 2025, Ben Arfa is 38 years old and continues to ignite passion among football fans across the globe. His journey from a young talent at Lyon to a seasoned veteran on the pitch is marked by numerous highlights and challenges.
| Occupation | Footballer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 7, 1987 |
| Age | 38 Years |
| Birth Place | Clamart, France |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | France |
Popularity
Hatem Ben Arfa's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing tall at 1.78 meters (5 feet 10 inches), Ben Arfa maintains a fit physique essential for his position as an attacking midfielder and winger. His weight is approximately 77 kg (170 lbs), which he expertly manages through rigorous training and a balanced diet. Although specific body measurements are often variable, his athletic build is a testament to his dedication to the sport.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Hatem Ben Arfa is known to keep his personal life relatively private. As of 2025, rumors have circulated about his romantic life, yet he has not officially confirmed any significant relationship. Speculations suggest that he may be dating someone currently, but he prefers to maintain a low profile, focusing more on his career and personal development.
His father was the former Tunisian international footballer Kamel Ben Arfa. Ben Arfa began his career in France at ASV Châtenay-Malabry. After two years at the club, he moved a few miles north to Montrouge CF 92. In 1998, Ben Arfa joined sporting club AC Boulogne-Billancourt.
The following year, he was selected to attend the INF Clairefontaine academy. He was the youngest player in his class, and the only one born in 1987. While at Clairefontaine, he was a part of A la Clairefontaine, a documentary series which chronicled the lives of some of France's top young footballers during their time at the academy.
During the series, an episode showed Ben Arfa getting into an argument with Abou Diaby. While training at Clairefontaine during the weekdays, he played for FC Versailles 78 on the weekends.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Hatem Ben Arfa boasts an estimated net worth ranging between $10 million to $15 million. Throughout his career, he earned significant salaries from major clubs including Lyon, Marseille, Newcastle United, and PSG. His financial growth is complemented by lucrative endorsement deals and sponsorships, making him one of the well-known figures in football.
On 19 August, a proposed move to Werder Bremen failed to come to fruition after the club's sporting director Klaus Allofs declared that the club was not interested in Ben Arfa, despite reports of Werder Bremen offering Marseille a transfer fee of €8 million.
On 27 August, Dassier confirmed that the club had reached an agreement on a loan fee with Newcastle for the transfer of Ben Arfa with personal terms being the only stumbling block in the deal. Marseille agreed to a £2 million loan fee.
Newcastle had been set to pay Marseille another £5 million if Ben Arfa had made 25 club appearances in the 2010–11 season, which would have made the transfer permanent.
Career, Business and Investments
Ben Arfa’s career has been a rollercoaster, featuring stints at some of the world's top clubs. After leaving Rennes, where he made a solid impact, he has taken on various roles in teams across Europe. His business acumen is evident as he has invested in several ventures related to sports. Additionally, he has become involved in youth football academies to train young talent, showcasing his commitment to giving back to the sport.
Ben Arfa's career started in the Île-de-France region, where he trained at Boulogne-Billancourt and Versailles. In 1999, he was selected to attend the Clairefontaine academy. He spent three years there before leaving for Lyon, where he won four Ligue 1 titles.
In his early career at Lyon, he played as a centre forward but moved into a striker role during the 2007–08 season. In the summer of 2008, Ben Arfa signed with rivals Marseille for €11 million in a move that required the intervention of the Ligue de Football Professionnel.
With Marseille, he won the 2009–10 league title, his fifth overall, as well as the Coupe de la Ligue in 2010. After two years at Marseille, Ben Arfa joined English club Newcastle United on loan for the 2010–11 season. The deal was made permanent later in the season.
Social Network
On social media, Hatem Ben Arfa remains a significant presence, engaging with fans on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. He often shares insights into his professional life, training routines, and personal anecdotes. His social media strategy has allowed him to maintain a strong connection with his supporters while enhancing his personal brand.
In early April, Ben Arfa was suspended from the Lille squad after a heated altercation with manager Jocelyn Gourvennec following a 0–0 draw to Bordeaux. Ben Arfa had reportedly criticised the way the team was set up, and told Gourvennec that "this isn't Guingamp", a team he formerly coached.
He later insulted Gourvennec and Lille president Olivier Létang in an Instagram story, calling them "twisted", a word used by Gourvennec earlier in the day. Gourvennec admitted in a press conference that he had "never seen that in all [of his] career", referring to Ben Arfa's inappropriate behavior in the dressing room following the match.
Education
While Hatem Ben Arfa is primarily recognized for his football prowess, he has also emphasized the importance of education. Although most of his formal education was through his football academy, he remains an advocate for young athletes to prioritize their studies alongside sports. His dedication to lifelong learning exemplifies his character both on and off the pitch.
Ben Arfa officially joined Marseille on 1 July 2008 for €12 million, with future incentives to be included later, after an agreement was reached between Marseille and Lyon in a meeting organized by the Ligue de Football Professionnel.
As a result of the disagreement over the transfer, in December 2008, Ben Arfa told the local Lyon newspaper Le Progrès that his former team lacked class and was not a great team. Ben Arfa was presented to the media and had his first training session with the club the same day. He was given the number 20 shirt.
On 16 July, Ben Arfa was involved in another training session bust-up, this time with striker and France international player Djibril Cissé. Cissé later joined English club Sunderland on loan.
